“We cannot know that for sure until she wakes. And it is more reason why we cannot let anyone outside know what is happening. We have no idea what happened," Dominic argued. “We don’t know if it was an accident or if someone was trying to kill her.”
Despite the situation, the doctor chuckled and said, "Oh, Dominic, you are a smart young man, and I forget most times that there is no arguing with you. Indeed, law enforcement could use a man with innate instincts like yours."
Ignoring the last bit of the doctor's statement, Dominic walked down the road with the doctor. "Thank you for driving here so quickly tonight, but from now on, Danny or I will be coming to pick you up in the buggy. We can't draw attention to you driving in and out of the community. I can trust my community to keep this issue hidden, but out there, I don't know who can be trusted. Now, how is she doing?"
The doctor nodded. "I was able to stitch up the small cut on her abdomen, but like I told you, my worry stems from the wound on her head. She obviously made impact with something, and we will not know the effect until she wakes. There could potentially be memory loss or internal bleeding. The next few days are crucial. Keep that in mind."
"I understand," Dominic said quietly as they stepped outside. “But I believe that God is in control. She was able to get out of a car careening toward the woods. I am more than sure she will be able to survive this. The good Lord will keep her. Good night, Doctor. Thank you."
"I'll come see her tomorrow," the doctor agreed as he climbed into his car.
As the car’s tires kicked up dust in the driveway, Dominic tapped his chin thoughtfully. He turned around to go into the house when he heard his name being called. He knew the voice, and he sighed as he turned around.
Margaret walked down the driveway toward him.
Dominic groaned inwardly. She’d seen the doctor, and now she’d ask questions.
Her red hair shone in the sunlight, and her green eyes studied him under dark lashes. She was indeed beautiful, but Dominic knew he would never have romantic feelings for her. They’d been friends their entire lives, and he wanted it to remain that way. She deserved a man who loved her, and Dominic was not that man.
"Good evening, Margaret," he said.
She smiled and said, "Good evening, Dominic. Was that Doctor McAllister leaving? Is everyone okay?"
"Everyone is fine, Margaret. We just have a guest who is not feeling too well," he said quietly. “Please. I trust that you will be discreet.” It was a statement, but he said it more like a question.
"Oh, I see," she said as she wrinkled her nose. “Who is it?”
Dodging her question, he said, “Everything is fine, really. Please, we would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone. Actually, we have a lot to do, so now isn’t a good time. I’ll let Damaris know you stopped by. Good day,” he said, hurrying into the house and closing the door, despite her trying to get a word in.
Not waiting for her to say anything else, Dominic headed to the bedroom where the woman was staying and stood by the door as he watched his mother, Constance, clean the young woman's face in the light of the propane light on the ceiling.
She looked up just then and shook her head, dropping the cloth in the bowl of water. She clasped her hands together and said, "Who would do such a thing to a fellow human being? It is terrible. The world is full of so much evil. What did the doctor say?"
Dominic shrugged, still leaning on the doorpost. "We won't know how she is really doing until she wakes up. So all we can do is wait."
His mother shook her head and said, "I believe she will be well. The good Lord made it possible for you to find her so she can get well here."
"Yes, I believe He did, Mother," Dominic said as he looked from his mother back to the woman. No longer was she wearing the stained top, pants, or boots. His mother had changed her clothes and now she had on a gray Amish dress. Her hair had been cleaned, and he could now see that indeed it actually was dark brown, almost black.
His mother sighed, and Dominic hurried forward and placed a hand on his mother's shoulder.
"Go on and get some rest, Mother. I am sure it was a busy day at the market, and Damaris could probably use help with the children. I will sit here through the night. You should not need to stress yourself. I doubt she will be waking up tonight."
"Thank you, son," she said. She smiled at him as she stood up and tapped his cheek lightly. She looked back to the young woman on the bed and back to him. "Good night. Tomorrow is another day. I hope it is brighter for you than today was."
Dominic sighed as his mother left. Every night ever since he returned to the community three years ago, she told him that before going to bed. She kept hoping and believing that someday the cloud of darkness would leave his eyes. Dominic sat at the side of the bed, wishing as he did every night that his mother's prayer was answered.
Dominic stared hard at the woman, and for the first time, with the dirt and the blood out of the way, he really saw her face. Her dark eyelashes rested on her cheeks and as he watched, they kept quivering. It was like she was trying desperately to open them but not having luck. Her mouth was slightly open, and as he studied her, he saw that she was beautiful. She had a certain tranquility about her, and he could not understand why someone would want to hurt her.
Before his eyes, her mouth started moving slowly. If he had not been looking so hard, he would not have seen it. He closed the gap between them and placed his ear close to her mouth.
"Jordan… Megan…," she kept saying over and over again.
What had happened to her? Who were Jordan and Megan?
Dominic placed his hand on her forehead and felt that her temperature was rising. Sighing, he placed the cold washcloth back on her head. It was going to be a long night; he knew that for sure.
***
Another morning met Dominic sitting in a hard-back chair at the side of the bed. It was one he had constructed with his own hands. In fact, the entire house and the furniture within were borne of the work of his hands. He had dedicated sweat and time into raising the house, and members of the community had helped too. But the furniture, from the beds to the smallest stool, had all been handmade by him or his father.
It was the second morning dawning since he had brought the hurt woman to the house. Two nights had passed already, and she still had a temperature, and she was still very much unconscious. Sid had come by to see how she was doing a few times.
The doctor said to continue monitoring her and keeping her temperature down, but more would have to be done if she did not wake to eat and drink soon.
Dominic woke up to the smell of baking bread. He sat up and his eyes immediately flitted over to the woman on the bed. She looked just the same as the previous day and the night, although she seemed calmer. At least she was no longer talking in her sleep like she had done throughout the previous day after the first night. He reached out and placed his hand on her forehead. She still had a temperature, but compared to the previous day, it was better.
He stood up and stretched out. He had to tend the farm and the animals.
Dominic looked back at the mysterious woman for one last time before he headed out of the room, through the house and to the kitchen. It had large windows which he had constructed to let lots of light into the house. His mother had always said that the kitchen should be the cheeriest part of the house. He walked in to find his mother at the counter.